Bradford Saving £40,000 a Year
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ECONOMIES in cleaning and maintenance have saved Bradford Transport Department £40,000 a year since 1951, the general manager, IVIr.. C. T. Humpidge, told the Yorkshire Licensing Authority last week. By today's rates of pay, the figure was more likely to be £50,000-€55,000. The number of manhours saved in that way each year was 325,000.
The corporation, who applied to increase both motorbus and trolleybus fares, sought to reduce the distance covered by the 2d. fare from. Li miles to a mile, to make.children's fares half the adult rate (to the nearest id. above), and to equalize school fares With normal children's rates.
Mr. H. Patten, deputy town clerk, said it was estimated that the propoIs would :increase revenue by £65,000in a full year: Since the last fare adjust-. ment in 1952, there had been a substantial increase in wages and loan charges, anti it Was estimated on the basis of present fares that there would be a loss on the current year's working
of i81,300. •• " " Since 1952, " it was estimated the undertaking had lost about 5m. passengers a year.
Mr. Humpidge said that economies had also been made by buying used trolleybuses and applying more efficient schedules.
Objecting, Mr. P. Tynan, secretary of the Bradford branch of the Electrical Trade Union, said the losses should be met out of the rates. .
Pudsey and Morley Corporations had lodged objections, but were not represented at the inquiry.
In . deferring his decision, the Authority, Maj. F. S. Eastwood, corninented: "in view of the probable very big increase in wages with which the .inclustry may be faced,, and which. we may know more of a-week today, it is a mere drop in the ocean that is being asked for."
He granted the ,corporation's request for a 4d. minimum on motorbus services in Wakefield Road, and authorized the Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., and the West Riding Automobile Co.; Ltd., to charge a similar fare on the route.